For thousands of years, our maharishis have nurtured our religion with utmost care. There are plenty of interesting episodes strewn all over, about such maharishis in the Vedas, Upanishads, and in the great epics like Ramayana and Mahabharatha. There are many deep aspects pertaining to philosophy in the life history of these maharishis.

In the Hindu religion - which is known as 'Sanadhana Dharma' maharishis play an important part. They were the connecting bridge between the humans on earth and the angels in heaven. If our religion was the mandap, they were the pillars supporting it.

We also learn that ''Rishis and Acharyas are not one and the same. The rishis have such extraordinary powers in them that they can hear what the humans cannot hear, can see what the humans cannot see, and can do what the humans cannot do.'' (Sri Jagadguru Kanchi Kamakoti Peedadheeshwara Sri Chandra Sekarendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya Swamigal).

The great rishis were able to convert electrical waves into sound waves. The sound waves thus produced were handed over to us, as Veda Manthras. These Veda Manthras originated in their hearts, at their highest level of meditation. 

Maharishis are classified into three groups, namely - Brahma Rishis, Raja Rishis, and Deva Rishis. The great sage Vashishta, Aththiri, Angras were Brahma rishis. Sage Vishvamitra who was a Raja rishi, after a Himalayan effort became a Brahma rishi. Janakar, Manu, and Sibi Chakravarthy were called Raja rishis. Sage Kashyap and Naradha were examples of Deva rishis.

Since the time of evolution various religions have sprouted and disappeared without a trace. But our Hindu religion, with the blessings of these great maharishis and the strength of their penance is indestructible and will stand the test of time. 

Agasthya

The grandson of Brahma and son of Marisi, Kashyap married Athithi and had 12 sons through her. When Mithran and Varunan, two of the twelve sons saw Oorvasi, they were enamoured by her. Agasthya and Vasishta were born out of this union. 

Agasthya, right from his childhood was interested only in holistic activities. He was always doing penance and his mind did not seek anything else. He showed very little interest in marriage. One day as he was going through a forest, he saw his ancestors hanging upside down. When he enquired, they complained that since he had not married and had not raised a family they were unable to go to heaven. But Agasthya could not find a girl of his choice. He gathered the beauty of all the women on earth and created a girl child. At the same time, the king of Vidharpa Desa was doing thapas, praying for a child. Agasthya gave the child, he had created, to the king.

The girl child named Lopamudra, lived in the palace with all the comforts and when she came of age, Agasthya asked her hand in marriage. The king was in a dilemma. He didn't have the heart to give the beautiful Lopamudra to the short and ugly looking sage, but at the same time did not want to incur his wrath. Lopamudra relieved her father's anxiety by agreeing to marry sage Agasthya. She sacrificed her luxurious life and instead of wearing expensive clothes, wore a dress made up of the bark of a tree and lived with him in his ashram.

(to be continued)

By AV Sugavaneshwaran
Tr. by Radha N.

Published by Kala Nilayam
Ramakrishna Mutt Road,
Mylapore, Chennai - 4